The Rail Official Publication of the Next Meeting

Winston-Salem Chapter of the th National Railway Historical Society Mon, Feb 11 7:00 PM P.O. Box 475 SouthBound Model

Clemmons, NC 27012 Railroaders Bldg

February 2008 Vol 51 - No. 2 Membership Info: 922-3988

FROM THE PRESIDENT

We had a good turnout for last month’s meeting. We were treated to another excellent program by Greensboro NRHS member, Gene Lewis. Thanks to Gene for taking his time to be with us.

We are making progress with our up-grades in the meeting room at SMR. We had a joint meeting last week with members of the model club and discussed many issues. Quotes have been submitted for new carpet and we will be making a decision soon. If anyone has any contacts with individuals or businesses that might be interested in donating items or money for our meeting room, please contact me.

We have talked about many possible chapter outings, in-state and out-of-state. We need someone to step up and make one or more of these trips happen. Do I have a volunteer who will put a plan together and present it to the Hawkins' most recent railfan project: making chapter? hundreds of digital scans from his father's expansive Gene Lewis, from Greensboro NRHS, says that 120 negative collection. From 1948 to 1990, Ralph's his group is interested in a joint outing with us father John Hawkins shot copious rolls of 120 film, and has suggested some possibilities. Would first in black & white and later in color. During those someone like to contact him and come up with a years he took in shortline and mainline action all over plan? the southeast. For the February program, Ralph will present a wide sampling of scans from the black & Our Program for February - We have had a white collection, with special emphasis on change in programs for this month. Ralph southeastern shortline steam from the 1950s and Hawkins , from the Blue Ridge Chapter, will be '60s. A native of southeastern Louisiana, Ralph is a with us and George and Barney will do their Presbyterian minister and resides in Altavista, VA, program in April. The program description with his wife Elizabeth and their daughter. He has follows below. I have seen this program and I been an NRHS member most of his life, and currently highly recommend it. The photos are terrific and is a member and webmaster of the Blue Ridge Ralph’s background narration puts you right in Chapter in Lynchburg. the action. You don’t want to miss this presentation! I hope to see you on the 11th. Steve

Monochrome Machines - A Tribute to My Father In This Month’s Issue 1 -- From the President by Ralph W. Hawkins 2 – Rail Could Benefit from Transp. Funding Proposal / Amtrak,

Commuter and Light Rail News It's September of 1960, near Kingsport, TN, and 4 -- Carolinas & Virginia RR News / Dreams of Steam ET&WNC's handsome little #207 (a Richmond 2- 5 – Recent Railroad News & Events

8-0, blt 1904) makes a reverse move to 8 -- Calendar of Events reconnect with it’s excursion consist during the Do you have some railroad info to share with your fellow members? annual NRHS convention held in Bristol. This If so, please email or mail your items to ([email protected]) or the photo of #207 is but one of the fruits of Ralph W Newsletter return address. Thanks, George

February 2008 The Rail Page 2

Rail Could Benefit from Amtrak, Commuter & Light Rail (From Trains Newswire) Transportation Funding Proposal (From Trains Newswire, January 15, 2008) Amtrak unions hopeful after favorable finding at WASHINGTON - The country is in a transportation death Presidential Emergency Board spiral, and the solution will involve freight, passenger, January 9, 2008 and commuter railroads. That's the conclusion of a high- WASHINGTON - Unions representing several Amtrak crafts said profile report conducted by a non-partisan panel Congress they were heartened by the recommendations of a special created to study the issue. The report, titled Presidential Emergency Board, Reuters reported. The board's "Transportation for Tomorrow," was issued by the decision, released Thursday, found that Amtrak was National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study unreasonable in some of its demands. Commission. "The Board's recommendations should form the basis for settlement of this dispute," said Dan Pickett, chairman of the The report says current U.S. transportation spending is 40 bargaining committee representing half the railroad's workforce. percent of what it should be, reports the in the Kansas City Star. The solution, the panel concludes, is to phase Disputes stem primarily from issues of back pay and work rules. in a gasoline tax that would reach up to 40 cents per Amtrak had opposed issuing any back pay and had wanted big gallon. The report identifies rail as a big part of the work rule changes.

solution. Rising cost estimates could hurt Central Corridor January 10, 2008 The National Association of Rail Passengers was quick to ST. PAUL, Minn. - The estimated cost of a light rail link between seize on the study as evidence of what it's long been downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul has risen again, threatening saying. Executive Director Ross Capon said the study the project's chance of getting needed federal funds, the St. Paul vindicates NARP's "Grid and Gateway" proposal for Pioneer Press reported. The earlier price tag of $932 million rose creating an improved and expanded passenger rail to $990 million, but federal backers will only pay half if the project system. doesn't surpass $840 million.

"The reality is this: we cannot afford to build this project unless Freight railroads are similarly pleased. Edward the federal government pays half the cost," said Peter Bell, chair Hamberger, President of the Association of American of the Metropolitan Council. Railroads, said in a press release, "The nation's freight railroads are pleased that this comprehensive, two-year LIRR sets record for on-time performance study by the commission very clearly sets out the need for January 10, 2008 a robust freight rail industry, and recognizes the QUEENS, New York - Long Island Rail Road trains ran on time 94.07 percent of the time in 2007, a new record for the commuter opportunity for freight railroads to play a major role in line, Newsday reported. That represents about a .75-percent alleviating traffic congestion, increasing highway safety, improvement over 2006. reducing pollution, and saving energy." Railroad President Helena Williams said, "We know that our AAR recently completed a study recommending similar customers want service reliability. They expect to arrive at their massive spending to prepare for future freight-rail destination safely and on time."

bottlenecks. Denver RTD abandons plan to buy land from UP January 10, 2008 The commission's report also recommends levying fees on DENVER - The Denver Regional Transportation District, operator both passengers and freight moving on the rail network to of Denver's light rail lines, won't agree to pay Union Pacific help fund infrastructure expansion. The report Railroad what it wants for land planned for use in the Denver recommends building high-speed rail lines in 13-15 International Airport expansion, Denver's Rocky Mountain News corridors nationwide. reported. That means the RTD will have to adjust plans for the extension, particularly with relation to maintenance facilities. The recommendations are sure to face strong opposition "The basic corridors will remain the same," said RTD spokesman in Congress, but they'll likely raise transportation funding Scott Reed. "This has more to do with the maintenance and as an issue in the 2008 elections, where the issue has, so internal operation functions than with the route of passenger far, gotten almost no attention. lines."

RTD officials didn't disclose how much UP wanted for the Request from Greensboro properties, which include the 36th Street rail yard and western portions of the Smith Road alignment along RTD's East Corridor. Dave Bott asks if anyone has or knows where to get scanned images of A & Y Employee Time Tables or the The district will now examine alternatives to the UP properties. Winston-Salem Division ETTs that included the A & Y

lines included in W-S Division

February 2008 The Rail Page 3

Quad Cities Amtrak Service Could Attract significant back pay and work-rule concessions after years 111,000 Riders Annually without a contract. January 10, 2008 DAVENPORT, Iowa - Amtrak service between Chicago and the Amtrak, Unions Reach Agreement Quad Cities could attract 111,000 riders annually and cost about January 18, 2008 $6 million in annual operation costs, according to an Amtrak study WASHINGTON - In an advisory to employees dated today, and story published at Quad Cities Online. Amtrak President Alexander Kummant said he signed a tentative agreement, along with representatives of unions until recently The report, conducted at the behest of the state of Illinois, also poised to strike, that averts a strike. Sources indicate a formal said track upgrades to allow the service would cost between $14 announcement will take place this morning, though it will take and $23 million. The Quad Cities are Bettendorf and Davenport, longer for details of the tentative agreement to emerge publicly. Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline, Ill., and are located about 175 Members of the unions will have to ratify the tentative agreement miles west of Chicago on the Mississippi River. The report before it will officially take effect. recommended a route that would use BNSF Railway rails between Chicago and Wyanet, Ill., and Iowa Interstate's main line Schwarzenegger Drops Demand that High-Speed west of Wyanet. It also considers an all-Iowa Interstate route via Rail Funding be Removed from Ballot Joliet and Morris. January 21, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Amid opposition from the state The state of Illinois subsidizes a series of Amtrak routes that legislature, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has dropped connect outlying Illinois cities to Chicago. Ridership on those a demand that legislators remove $9.9 billion in funding for high- routes has grown greatly in the last few years as more frequent speed rail from the ballot this fall, the AP reported. However, he's trips have been implemented. In addition to the Quad Cities asking them to tie the funding to federal and private support, a service, the state is eyeing a new route between Dubuque, Iowa, move proponents say might kill the deal. and Chicago, via Rockford, Ill.

Missouri DOT to ask for $10.6 Million to help Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, a San Francisco Democrat and lead supporter of the project, said she has business partners that Amtrak Trains would like to support the project, but first want to see engineering January 15, 2008 studies, environmental data, and some right-of-way in state JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of hands. By forcing commitments from those people before such Transportation will ask state lawmakers to finance a $10.6 million things can be done, supporters fear, the project couldn't be built. plan to relieve congestion on routes used by Amtrak trains in the state, the Associated Press reported. California has proposed a 700-mile rail system linking its biggest

cities with trains running up to 220 mph. The first segment, a Missouri's Amtrak routes, including the state-supported Missouri connection between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is estimated Mule and Ann Rutledge between Kansas City and Chicago, lost to cost $40 billion. ridership in fiscal-year 2007. That's likely because on-time performance has suffered, mostly due to delays wrought by Light Rail Under Construction, Develops Cracks freight traffic on Union Pacific's line, host to the Amtrak trains. January 21, 2008 PHOENIX - A light-rail line under construction in Phoenix is The money would go to building sidings on the route. But inexplicably developing rail separations of about two inches even supporters acknowledge funding may not be forthcoming. There before the first train has moved, the East Valley Tribune reported. have been several legislative attempts in recent years to cut off The mysterious breaks will force the Metro to dip into its funding for the routes because of declining service. contingency fund; the agency declined to estimate the cost of fixing the cracks. Proposed Labor Settlement Would Leave Amtrak with Shortfall Workers found the first break in mid-December, which prompted a January 16, 2008 study of the whole line, which in turn located a series of other WASHINGTON - Amtrak will face a $150 million shortfall next cracks. Metro's director of construction, Brian Buchanan, worked year if its proposal for a settlement with unions recently on the on the Hiawatha light-rail line in Minnesota, and said similar verge of striking is implemented, the Wall Street Journal reported. cracks developed in very cold weather. Buchanan said cold- That gives Amtrak's opponents more ammunition against the weather contraction may have caused the cracks. national passenger railroad as supporters push to expand its role in moving people nationwide. As study continues, Metro continues to extend the line toward its full 20-mile length. "This is just symptomatic of a Soviet-style train operation, and it isn't going to get any better," said Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), a Connecticut report gives Metro-North high marks longtime Amtrak critic. January 22, 2008 HARTFORD, Conn. - A report commissioned by Connecticut's Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black said Amtrak is considering cutting legislature gave Metro-North high marks for its commuter trains, its budget elsewhere, asking Congress for additional funding, or but recommends better communication with the public, some combination of the two to make up the shortfall. WestportNow.com reported. The report found an on-time performance of 97.1 percent, a remarkable achievement. Last month, a Presidential Emergency Board sided mostly with unions and against Amtrak, recommending the railroad offer However, when delays did occur, communication with the riding public wasn't adequate, since passengers were used to on-time trains. February 2008 The Rail Page 4

Carolinas & Virginia RR News specific public benefits, with the aim of diverting 597,000 truck trips off Virginia highways. (From Trains Newswire)

N. C. Transportation Museum Gets Grant The improvements will focus on the most congested portion of the rail line, which stretches from Manassas to Front Royal. Included to Renovate Power House will be sidings, signals, and double track. If necessary permits are January 7, 2008 secured, NS could begin work as early as next month. SPENCER, N.C. - The North Carolina Transportation Museum will get a $2.2 million grant from the state of North Carolina to NC Railroad Plans Track Realignment in Kinston renovate its Power House. Improvements will include roof repair, January 25, 2008 supports to meet seismic requirements, door repair, window KINSTON, N.C. - A 2,200-foot segment of track in downtown repair, and masonry repair. For more information on the Kinston will be realigned if the state-owned North Carolina museum, visit www.nctrans.org. Railroad has its way, Tribune Information Services reported. The $1.9 million project would see the tracks straightened and moved 15 feet south of its current route.

The line currently slows trains to 10 mph. That's a pain for both growing Norfolk Southern train traffic, serving the port at Morehead City, and drivers downtown.

However, some buildings, including the historic Atlantic & East Carolina station, would need to be moved or razed. The station, still owned by the railroad, is listed as a national historic site. The railroad has proposed to donate the station, along with $300,000 for renovations or other work, to the city.

Dreams of Steam Jan 17, 2008 – Chinese Steam in Kentucky (Photo from G Weber Collection) Lexington Herald-Leader by Jim Warren – Photos by Charles Bertram, AP NS Runs into Trouble Moving Locomotives from Roanoke Scrap-yard It's been roughly 50 years since a steam locomotive January 18, 2008 operated on the railroad tracks around Lexington. ROANOKE, Va. - Norfolk Southern Railway officials can't figure But that's about to change. out how they'd move the surviving pieces of four steam engines The R.J. Corman Railroad Co. has taken delivery on a and two diesels at a Roanoke scrapyard, the Roanoke Times reported. Preservationists would like to see the locomotives go to Chinese-built steam locomotive, which it plans to park on the Virginia Museum of Transportation. a siding just off Cox Street, both as a piece of historic preservation and for actual use on as-yet-unspecified "We have looked at the feasibility of moving those old "special occasions." Company owner Rick Corman says locomotives out of there, and I guess the short of it is, we really he expects to fire up the engine and try it out on the have not come up with a practical way to do that," said NS track within a few weeks, as soon as it's inspected and spokesman Robin Chapman. spruced up from its long trip from China.

He said the barriers to moving the equipment include the fact that the locomotives are sitting on the ground, not on rails, and that the railroad doesn't know how much they weigh. Once they're loaded on flatcars, it would be an easy trip across town to the museum.

The engines at Virginia Scrap Iron & Metal include Norfolk & Western 4-8-0s 1118, 1134, and 1151, and 2-8-0 917, as well as two Chesapeake Western Baldwin diesels. The steam engines have sat there since 1950, and have badly rusted and been picked over.

Construction to Begin on I-81 Corridor Improvements in Virginia January 24, 2008 RICHMOND, Va. - The Commonwealth of Virginia and Norfolk Southern officially executed their $57 million agreement Tuesday to improve rail lines in the hopes of diverting trucks from That day can't come soon enough for local rail fans, highways. The public-private partnership requires NS to deliver several of whom braved 30-degree weather Wednesday morning for a rare glimpse of a real, working steam February 2008 The Rail Page 5

locomotive. They watched and snapped pictures for more Lexington occasionally. But there is no steam locomotive than two hours, as work crews from the Corman regularly operating in Central Kentucky today. company carefully unloaded the 140-ton steam engine from two railroad flatcars that brought it and its tender Which is why the prospect of having one in Lexington is car to Lexington over the weekend. such a thrill for fans like Way Thompson -- and for Matt Schwerin, 30, who didn't know much about steam engines until lately, but has had to learn a lot about them very quickly. Schwerin, who works for the Corman Railroad Co., will be the person mainly responsible for operating the locomotive.

"It started in June when Mr. Corman told me, 'I need you to go to China,'" Schwerin said. He ultimately made two trips to Jinzhou, China, to see the locomotive, watch it being refurbished, and learn to operate it. Schwerin's regular job at the Corman company is as manager of operation practices. And while he's a certified railroad engineer, he had never before run a steam engine.

Indeed, until recently, Schwerin had never even seen a steam locomotive except in a museum. At age 30, he was born too late to experience the steam era on American railroads. Now, he's getting a second chance to learn what it was like. "You know it can't be a cost-efficient project, but I'm just glad that there is someone who has the resources to "I sort of put myself through a crash course on steam preserve something like this," said Lexington's Way once Mr. Corman told me I'd be involved in this project," Thompson, one of those watching the unloading. "I've Schwerin said. "Operating a steam locomotive is a totally always loved trains and steam engines." different experience from a diesel. I think it's really exciting that a for-profit railroad company would make Corman actually bought the engine from Railroad this kind of investment and commitment." Development Corp., a Pittsburgh firm that had acquired three of the Chinese locomotives. Corman's engine Rick Corman said he sees the engine as a door into traveled to the U.S. by ship, arrived in New Orleans last history. "How do you know where you're going if you month, and then was shipped to Lexington by rail. don't know where you've been?" he said. "We're going to Though built in China, the engine is based on a U.S. maintain it and operate it some two or three times a design from the 1920s. year, just for special occasions.

Why buy a Chinese locomotive rather than an American "Steam engines aren't very efficient, but they do have one? The few steam locomotives seen in this country character and people love them. I think it will be a nice today typically are museum pieces rescued from the addition to our company."

scrap heap.

But Corman's engine is no antique. It was built in 1986 and was in use on Chinese railroads as recently as 2005, Recent Railroad News & Events hauling coal and passengers. According to Corman, (From Trains Newswire) Chinese railroads continued to rely on steam power until recently, and only now are replacing their outmoded Short line, tourist pike sold to private group steam engines with modern diesels. So, steam engines January 2, 2008 now available in China are only a few years old and CORNING, Pa. - The Tioga Central Railroad, a tourist railroad, require little restoration, compared with old U.S. engines and the Wellsboro & Corning, a freight-hauling shortline railroad, that must be rebuilt. have been sold to a private group called the Myles Group, the Corning Star-Gazette reported. American railroads abandoned steam for diesel power decades ago. But for many rail fans, no diesel ever built The new owners, A.T. Myles, A.T. Myles IV, and W.B. Myles, can match the romance and appeal of a smoking, have extensive railroad experience, including service at Conrail, snorting steam locomotive. CSX, and Burlington Northern.

The Bluegrass Railroad Museum in Versailles at one time W&C operates 38 miles of track and connects to the Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific railways. TC operates a tourist owned a steam engine, but sold it because of high st operating costs. Steam excursion trains pass through train from Wellsboro Junction. The sale closed on January 1 .

February 2008 The Rail Page 6

Adirondack Scenic sells out 25 'Polar Express' and equipment and installed trackside detection systems in more runs locations to identify potential problems early," he said. January 3, 2008 UTICA, N.Y. - Between November and mid-December, the Missing snowmobilers take shelter in Cumbres & Adirondack Scenic Railroad sold out 25 "Polar Express" trains, Toltec station moving some 8,300 passengers to the "North Pole," according to January 7, 2008 a story in the Observer-Dispatch newspaper. All 25 trains sold out OSIER STATION, Colo. - Six snowmobilers missing since Friday before the first one ran. were stranded in Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad's Osier Station today, and rescuers were on the way, Yahoo News The Polar Express takes passengers from Utica to a North Pole reported. They used the station's telephone to dial 911, and are display in Holland Patent, N.Y., where kids meet with Santa reported to be hungry but alive. Claus. Readings from the book "The Polar Express" and snippets from the movie run during the trip. The six New Mexico natives had been snowmobiling around the 10,222-foot Cumbres Pass. Rescue efforts have been hindered The Adirondack Scenic runs tourist trains between Utica and by four feet of snow that has fallen on the region since Friday. Lake Placid, N.Y. For more information, visit Rescuers were using snowmobiles to get to the station, the only www.adirondackrr.com. way to get there in winter.

Memphis leaders hope NS will move intermodal Railroads move second-greatest tonnage in 2007 yard January 7, 2008 January 4, 2008 WASHINGTON - The Association of American Railroads reported MEMPHIS - Though the railroad won't admit it, Memphis leaders that U.S. railroads originated 16,952,288 carloads in 2007, the told the Memphis Commerial-Appeal they think Norfolk Southern second highest annual total ever, with 2006 being first, Logistics will move its intermodal yard to the Pidgeon Industrial Park this Management reported. year. The city expects the move would reduce truck congestion on some key through streets. AAR Director of Editorial Services Tom White said these 2007 volumes reflect a decline in the housing and automotive sectors, "We had a highly successful meeting," said Robert Lipscomb, which began late in 2006 and continued throughout 2007. director of the city's Housing and Community Development Division. "Should the discussions go well, the affected "The key to what happened in 2007 is the housing industry and neighborhoods - Orange Mound, Cooper-Young, Parkway, the construction industry being negative this year, and the University District, Pidgeon Roost, and Glenview - will be automotive industry doing poorly again," said White. "Those are pleased." very important parts of our traffic base, and if you take a look at the numbers that is a very high percentage of the reason why our NS currently lacks direct access to the industrial park, but it's total volume was down." considering several options to reach it, including reviving an abandoned route. Canadian National/Illinois Central reaches Maine narrow gauge railroad may be forced from Pidgeon, but NS has said it won't seek trackage rights, as it Portland waterfront doesn't want to work around another railroad's trains. January 7, 2008 PORTLAND, Maine - The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & CSX paid almost $350,000 in civil penalties for Museum is exploring what to do if it's forced from its current safety violations Portland waterfront location, the Kennebec Journal & Morning January 4, 2008 Sentinel reported. Plans to redevelop the area may displace the WASHINGTON - The Federal Railroad Administration levied railroad's yard and museum. $349,265 in civil fines against CSX for safety lapses discovered during inspections a year ago, according to a story in the Albany The owner of the complex where the railroad is now located (N.Y.) Times-Union. Inspectors proposed 199 separate fines for announced a new push to redevelop the 10-acre site that's been violations found on inspection, of which 33 were not sustained home to the railroad since its inception in 1993. during review. Twenty-five will be resolved this year. The railroad would like to stay at its current site, but it's also Some of the violations related to procedures followed by CSX scouting locations in Cumberland and Kingfield. "We are employees. For example, in one incident, the FRA levied a considering several options," said Susan Davis, the railroad's $4,320 fine against CSX for a train crew that didn't properly executive director. "We're pursuing each of the options equally. maintain information on hazardous materials in its train. Our best option is to develop right where we are."

At least some track defects also resulted in fines, but the FRA The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum operates a 1.5- declined to go into detail about these defects. The inspection blitz mile line along the Eastern Promenade and provides unique was launched in the wake of several derailments believed to have views of Casco Bay. For more information, visit www.mngrr.org. been caused by track defects. SP&S 700 and SP 4449 may soon be homeless The good news for CSX is that Federal Railroad Administrator January 8, 2008 Joseph Boardman noted an improvement in safety practices in PORTLAND, Ore. - Perhaps within a few months, Union Pacific his statement on the issue. "CSX has made significant strides in Railroad may evict the City of Portland from the Brooklyn the short term to lay new rail, increase its own inspections of track Roundhouse, a move that would leave three steam engines on the merger. However, a hearing in Barrington, center of February 2008 The Railopposition to the merger, drew 1,600 people. Page 7

without a home, the Portland Tribune reported. The three steam B&O Museum to unveil locomotive damaged in engines, owned by the city, are the Spokane, Portland & Seattle 2003 storm 4-8-4 No. 700, Southern Pacific 4-8-4 No. 4449, and Oregon January 17, 2008 Railway & Navigation 4-6-2 No. 197. BALTIMORE - The B&O Railroad Museum will unveil Memnon No. 57, a historically significant locomotive damaged in the Union Pacific has leased the Brooklyn Roundhouse to the city for devastating 2003 President's Day snowstorm. No. 57 will be the $1 per month. However, the railroad wants to expand its yard first engine damaged that day to be restored and put back on onto the territory now occupied by the roundhouse. The Oregon display. The New Castle Manufacturing Co. built No. 57 in 1848. Rail Heritage Foundation has been searching for a new location Following years of hauling coal over the Alleghany Mountains, it for the engines, but they've yet to locate one. hauled union troops, Confederate prisoners of war, munitions, and supplies during the Civil War. It was retired and became part "We hope we won't have to store everything out in the open, of the museum's collection in 1892. Visit www.borail.org. where the elements and vandals can get to them," said Doyle McCormack, president of the foundation. CSX earnings, stock rise January 22, 2008 The group would like to find a location that could serve as a JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Long under fire for its sub-par financial museum in addition to housing the engines. performance, CSX reported better-than-expected earnings, Reuters reported. Its shares grew more than 4 percent as a Wyoming coal reaches record volumes in 2007 result. The growth resulted from CSX's rates increasing faster January 9, 2008 than rising fuel costs and at a rate fast enough to offset declining GILLETTE, Wyo. - Coal shipments from Wyoming edged up 1.1 freight volumes. percent above 2006 levels, according to a story in the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune. The increase, revealed in Energy CSX Chief Executive Officer Michael Ward said he foresees Information Administration statistics, show less of an increase economic growth this year. "It'll be slower growth, but I don't think versus the previous year, when Wyoming coal production gained we'll see a recession this year," he said. Fourth-quarter net 10 percent. In all, Wyoming produced 451.3 million tons of coal income for CSX rose more than 5 percent to $365 million, or 86 last year. cents per share, up from $347 million, or 75 cents per share, one year earlier. The Powder River Basin in eastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana is a massive originator of rail traffic for BNSF Railway CSX is under siege from its second-largest owner, a hedge fund and Union Pacific Railroad, and two would-be haulers, the known as The Children's Investment Fund. The fund plans to run Tongue River Railroad and the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern candidates at CSX's shareholder's meeting in May, and these Railroad, are also vying for access to the Basin. results may give the company's management some cover.

Key analyst optimistic on rail performance Reading Fs to be displayed at Strasburg January 24, 2008 January 11, 2008 NEW YORK - Investment house Bear Stearns gave the railroad STRASBURG, Pa. - Reading FP7s 902 and 903 will be displayed industry a big thumbs-up yesterday when it upgraded railroad for at least the next year at the Railroad Museum of stocks to "overweight," Reuters reported. The designation means Pennsylvania, according to a story in the Intelligencer-Journal. Bear Stearns expects the industry to perform well. The company Nos. 902 and 903 are owned by the Reading Co. Historical and anticipated that transportation companies will lead the U.S. Technical Society and the Philadelphia Chapter of the National economy out of its current funk. It singled out Class Is Canadian Railway Historical Society, respectively. The pair most recently National, BNSF Railway, and Union Pacific as railroads it expects hauled special trips on East Penn Railways' Perkiomen Branch in will "outperform" others. UP is best-positioned for volume growth, October. They've been extensively overhauled, and are painted in said Bear Stearns, because it will benefit from growth in ethanol, Reading's black, green, and yellow paint scheme. containers, and coal from Wyoming's Powder River Basin.

STB gets earful at EJ&E merger hearings BNSF initiates ECP-equipped coal trains from January 16, 2008 Powder River Basin MATTESON, Ill. - Dozens of concerned homeowners near the January 25, 2008 Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad showed up at a Surface FORT WORTH, Texas - A BNSF coal train equipped with Transportation Board hearing to voice opposition to the railroad's electronically controlled pneumatic brakes departed Wyoming's proposed merger with Canadian National, the Southtown Star Powder River Basin coal fields bound for Southern Co.'s power reported. "Nobody is going to buy any of the houses along the plant near Birmingham, Ala. BNSF has tested the equipment on train tracks," local homeowner Sharon Root told the STB. "We intermodal and iron ore trains in the past. Electronically never, ever thought this could happen." controlled pneumatic brakes use an electronic signal to cause all brakes in the train to apply simultaneously. With standard air The proposed merger would route CN trains away from Chicago's brakes, the brakes on the first cars in the train apply before the core and over EJ&E's line, which forms a broad loop around the cars behind them, causing slack action. New York Air Brake is area. The STB is requiring an environmental impact statement be providing the technology to equip 12 BNSF locomotives with ECP completed in the case, which will delay approval. Nancy Madrigal brakes, while Wabtec Corp. will equip 300 coal cars owned by of Blue Island, Ill., came to the hearing to find out if it might result Southern. in trains being diverted away from her community. About 75 people on average have attended recent STB hearings NS applied ECP brakes to some regular-service trains last fall. February 2008 The Rail Page 8

Future Events – PLAN AHEAD

Feb 11 th – Winston-Salem Chapter Meeting, Southbound Model Railroaders Building; 7:00 PM; Ralph Hawkins from the Blue Ridge Chapter NRHS will give his "Monochrome Machines" program. A black & white PowerPoint presentation from his Dad's negative collection of southern short-line steam. Feb 23 rd & 24 th – Train Show at Upper State Fair Grounds in Easley, SC – See Flyer at Feb 11 th Meeting Mar 10th -- -Winston-Salem Chapter Meeting, Southbound Model Railroaders Building; 7:00 PM; Ed Reilly will present his program of the Scottish Highlands after his recent trip. April 2008 – Premier of “The Leatherheads” filmed last April and May in part at the N.C. Transportation Museum. Apr 5 th – Hickory Train Show – Details to be provided in later issues of The Rail. Apr 14th -- -Winston-Salem Chapter Meeting, Southbound Model Railroaders Building; 7:00 PM; Barney and George will present their program on RPO and their trip to Boyce and Winchester, VA in December 2006 Apr 26 th & 27 th – Rail-Days at NC Transportation Museum, Spencer; Return of Steam, Visiting Flagg Steam May 12th -- -Winston-Salem Chapter Meeting, Southbound Model Railroaders Building; 7:00 PM; A Contemporar y Diesel Power Program

Chapter Officers: PRESIDENT Steve Hutchison VICE PRESIDENT: J.R. Snider SECRETARY: George Weber TREASURER: Jay VanNostrand DIRECTORS: Larry Linville & Ron Hash NATIONAL DIRECTOR: Jack Salt MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Barney Barnier HISTORIAN: Dr. Jeff Miller NEWSLETTER EDITOR: George Weber

The Rail is published monthly as the newsletter of the Winston-Salem Chapter NRHS. Opinions and points of view expressed herein are those of the editor and contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the members, officers or directors of the Chapter or the National Railway Historical Society unless otherwise stated . Items of interest should be sent to Editor, George Weber, 4400 Oak Hollow Dr., High Point, NC 27265-9662 or email to [email protected]

THE RAIL Winston-Salem Chapter – NRHS c/o Editor, 4400 Oak Hollow Dr High Point, NC 27265

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